With his Oregon congressional candidacy going nowhere, Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken announced Wednesday that he is now turning his sights to an open seat on the Lane County Commission.

Leiken was once touted by Republican strategists as a major contender
for the 4th district seat held by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. But
Leiken was severely damaged by an inquiry into his campaign finances that resulted in a fine and a tearful apology by the candidate.

Even under the best of circumstances for Leiken, his big hope for
a seat in Congress was that DeFazio would run for governor this year (which now appears highly unlikely).

The Lane County seat being vacated by the retiring Bill Dwyer (a former
state legislator) is a much more doable task, particularly since state Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, has decided not to run for the position. Still, Leiken joins a crowded field that includes two Springfield city councilors.